Revs to face Brazilian power Cruzeiro

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution today announced that the team will play Brazilian powerhouse Cruzeiro Esporte Clube on Sunday, June 13, at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Cruzeiro, founded in 1921, is one of the most popular teams in Brazil. Playing in the Campeonato Mineiro, Cruziero has won 36 championships, including the 2008 and 2009 titles. The club has also won two Copa Libertadores titles, two Supercopa Sudamericana titles, one Recopa Sudamericana championship, one Copa Oro and one Supercopa Masters. In 2009, Cruzeiro earned a runner-up finish in the Copa Libertadores.

Cruzeiro, which is acclaimed for its player development system, boasts a current roster that features such Brazilian stars as Gilberto, Roger, Kleber and Fábio. The club’s trip to the U.S. comes during the 2010 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A season.

In 2009, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics named Cruzeiro the top team in Brazil. Cruzeiro plays its home matches at the historic Mineirão, the largest stadium in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, and the second-largest in all of Brazil.

“We are very excited to bring Cruzeiro to Gillette Stadium,” Revolution Vice President of Business Development Craig Tornberg said. “Not only is Cruzeiro one of South America’s top teams, but there is a tremendous Brazilian population in the New England area that hails from the Minais Gerais region of the country, and also claims Cruzeiro as their club and follow them from afar. We expect a tremendous atmosphere for this match, and look forward to welcoming Cruzeiro to New England.”

Tickets to the match are included in the 2010 season ticket packages as Special Event B. Season Ticket Holders will have access to a special pre-sale, which will begin on Monday, May 3, at 10 a.m. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, May 6. Ticket prices start at $30, and are available through all Ticketmaster outlets and through the Revolution Ticket Office (1-877-GET-REVS).

For more information about the match or the New England Revolution, visit revolutionsoccer.net.